Washington State Grape Society Records, 1972-1981

In November 1971, twenty to thirty persons involved in the grape industry met in Prosser to form an organization that would foster the interests of Washington grape producers. This group selected a constitutional committee and a nominations committee. The constitutional committee drafted a document and bylaws patterned after the Washington State Horticulture Association constitution. In December 1971, the group adopted the proposed constitution and elected a slate of officers. Warren Tomlinson was elected the Society's first president. The stated purpose of the organization is "the overall advancement of the grape industry in the State of Washington." During its first year, the Society's membership rose to about 500, which included persons from all aspects of the grape industry. The Society's major projects are the annual "grape school" (used to inform and educate interested persons of the advances in the industry), the "Proceedings" (an annual publication), and funding research on topics of interest to the grape industry.